Session 34: Wukong Slays the Six Bandits and Leaves Sanzang Due to His Nagging

Are you aware that you encounter six bandits every day?

How do your senses affect your emotions and decisions every day?
Let’s find out what the Six Bandits really are!

As Wukong begins his journey as Sanzang’s disciple, his first challenge is the confrontation with the Six Bandits. With ease, he slays them using the As-You-Wish Golden Cudgel. However, unable to bear Sanzang’s constant reproach for his violent act, Wukong angrily leaves his role.

Session Focus:
We will explore the symbolic meaning of the Six Bandits and reflect on how they manifest in our daily lives. This session invites deep contemplation on how our six senses are trapped by the desires for material possessions.

Key Questions for contemplation:

"Since you don't know our names, I'll tell them to you: Eye−seeing Happiness, Ear−hearing Anger, Nose−smelling Love, Tongue−tasting Thought, Mind−born Desire, and Body−based Sorrow.”
Q1: What do the names of the Six Bandits reveal about them?
Why are they called bandits rather than demons?
What do they symbolically represent?
Can you share real-life examples where these ‘bandits’ show up in your experience?
Which ‘bandit’ challenges you the most in your life right now?

"You're just a bunch of small−time crooks. You can't see that I'm your lord and master although I'm a monk, and you have the effrontery to get in our way. Bring out all the jewels you've stolen, and the seven of us can share them out equally. I'll let you off with that.”
Q2: Why does Wukong claim to be the "lord and master" of the Six Bandits?
What exactly are the Six Bandits trying to steal from people—and why is it so dangerous?

The terrified bandits tried to flee in all directions, but Monkey raced after them, caught them all up, and killed every one of them.
Q3: Why did Wukong kill the Six Bandits instead of sparing them?
Why is this the first challenge he faces after becoming Sanzang’s disciple?

Monkey, who had never let himself be put upon, flared up at Sanzang's endless nagging. "If you say that I'll never become a monk and won't ever reach the Western Heaven, then stop going on at me like that. I'm going back.” Before Sanzang could reply, Monkey leapt up in a fury, shouting, "I'm off." Sanzang looked up quickly, but he was already out of sight.
Q4: What state of mind or character does Wukong display in this outburst?
How does this situation differ from the time he left his post as the Heavenly Horse Protector?
What deeper connection can you draw between Wukong’s reaction here and the symbolic meaning of the Six Bandits?

Take time to reflect on these questions, and bring your thoughts, your wonderings, and your interpretations to Session 34.

Members’ Blogging Space:
Share your reflections and learnings:
https://www.hellosuliving.com/blog

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Self-study and preparation:

English text:
https://chine.in/fichiers/jourwest.pdf
Chapter 14 (page 209 - 214)

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Participation fee:
Pay-as-you-go: AUD $5 per session (via PayPal)